A critical 11-0 Eastern Kentucky run in a low scoring game with Eastern’s men’s basketball team was all the Colonels needed for a 47-43 victory over the Panthers on Thursday.

Lantz Arena did not have much to cheer about, except its team was in the lead at halftime 18-16. Although the game was not a fan’s dream, or even a player’s, for that matter, the teams battled in a close Ohio Valley Conference game.

The Panthers went on a 10-4 run to open the second half and led 28-20 with 15 minutes left in the game. The game would go back and forth for the next few minutes with Eastern maintaining control of the scoreboard.

Down 33-27 Eastern Kentucky guard Mike DiNunno hit a jumper that catapulted the Colonels run. After a three-point shot by guard Joshua Jones, the guard cut to the basket and converted on the games only lead change. The run ended when an alley-oop pass was dunked by Eastern’s red-shirt junior forward James Hollowell. The score was 38-35 and Eastern Kentucky never looked back.

The Colonels slowed the pace of the game down with a deliberate offensive attack and the use of multiple zones on defense.

Eastern Kentucky held a 44-37 lead with a minute remaining in the game and the Panthers did everything they could to come back, but in the end the deficit was too large.

Eastern lost its seventh consecutive game 47-43 and falls to 9-13 overall and 2-8 in the OVC, while Eastern Kentucky improves to 6-5 in conference play and 13-11.

Senior guard Jeremy Granger said the slow pace of the game hurt the Panthers offensive attack.

Head coach Mike Miller said the Panthers did not shoot too poorly, but there were just not that many shots in the game overall.

“It’s a grind out, low possession game,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, we went through a stretch in the second half where we had a couple turnovers and (Eastern Kentucky) made a couple shots and that probably cost us the game.”

Granger was the only Panther to score in double-figures with 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting.

The Colonels were led by Jones with 12 points and DiNunno with 11 points.

Miller said the team is disappointed with the loss, but he thinks they gave a good effort in the game.

“No matter the style of this game, we told our guys we had to find a way to win,” Miller said. “(Our team) tried to do that. They had a couple shots that didn’t go and (Eastern Kentucky) got a couple to go and that decided it.”

The Panthers return to action Saturday against defending conference champions Morehead State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Lantz Arena.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at [email protected].